The ‘Be Well’ service provides a variety of health and wellbeing support for patients who are registered with our practices and over 18 years old.

Community Link Workers Health and Lifestyle Practitioners

Community link workers are based at your GP practice. They are non-clinical practitioners who are part of the Be Well service. They provide personalised, non-medical support to help people improve their health and wellbeing. Their role is very similar to social prescribing link workers and they focus on what matters to you rather than just looking at your health needs.

Community link workers will listen to your concerns and take time to work with you to create a support plan that's right for you. They will give you the tools to take control of your own wellbeing and to feel more connected, informed and supported.

Who can get support? Community link workers can support people who:

• Feel lonely, isolated or vulnerable
• Need help with unemployment, benefits, housing or welfare
• Want support to access local groups, activities or services
• Have social needs that affect their wellbeing (such as carers)
• Frequently go to their GP or to hospital for non-medical or social concerns
• Would benefit from signposting or referrals to local services for social, practical or emotional support

Please note: community link workers are not:

• A weight management service
• A mental health crisis support service

If you need immediate mental health support

Mental Health Crisis Intervention Team (for people aged 18–64): 0800 138 0990. Crisis & Intervention Team for Older People (65+): 0800 138 0990. If you are in crisis or feel at risk of harm: Call NHS 111 or 999. You can also call your GP practice (an emergency number will be available out of hours) or contact the Samaritans any time on 116 123.

Referral criteria To access the community link worker service, you must be 18 or over and registered with a Venn PCN GP practice

What happens after a referral? You will be contacted by telephone within two weeks of your referral. If we are unable to reach you, we will send a letter asking you to get in touch.

During your initial conversation, a community link worker will:

• Discuss why you have been referred
• Answer any questions
• Explore your needs and priorities
• Explain what support is available

Community link workers can refer or signpost you to services such as:

• Adult Social Care
• Carers' Information and Support Service (CISS)
• Citizens' Advice
• SmokeFree Hull
• RENEW
• NHS Talking Therapies
• Mental Health Wellbeing Coaches
• Local groups, classes, and community activities
• Many other services depending on your individual needs

What happens if I choose to accept support?

You will be invited to attend a 60‑minute initial assessment, either face‑to‑face at your GP practice, or on the phone. During your assessment, we will discuss:

• What is currently affecting your health and wellbeing
• What support, referrals or changes could help you
• What your goals are and how you want to move forward

You can refer yourself using the self-referral form on our website: [Social Prescribing | Venn Primary Care Network ]() or by ringing the Be Well Admin team on 01482 458091.

Health and Lifestyle Practitioners Health and Lifestyle Practitioners are based at your GP practice as part of the Be Well service. They are non-clinical practitioners who can help you to make positive lifestyle changes, such as improving your diet or being more active, to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Who can access support?

Health and Lifestyle Practitioners can support patients who meet any of the following criteria: Non-HDL cholesterol ≥ 4 mmol/L (blood test within the last 3 months, not currently taking a statin and no history of cardiovascular disease) QRISK score ≥ 10% (blood test within the last 3 months, not currently taking a statin and no history of cardiovascular disease)

What is QRISK? QRISK is a clinical tool used to estimate your risk of developing a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, over the next 10 years.

Patients must also meet the following requirements to be referred:

• Aged 18 or over
• Registered with a Venn PCN GP practice
• Not pregnant Self-referrals are not accepted. A clinician within your GP practice must make the referral.

What happens after I am referred? You will be contacted by telephone within two weeks of your referral. If we are unable to reach you on the phone, we will send a letter asking you to get in touch. During your initial phone conversation, a health and lifestyle practitioner will talk to you about the reason for your referral, answer your questions and explain the support options available. This may include up to 12 months of personalised lifestyle support and a discussion about whether statin medication may be appropriate.

We can also refer or signpost you to services such as:

• SmokeFree Hull
• RENEW
• Be Well Community Link Workers
• NHS Talking Therapies
• Mental Health Wellbeing Coaches
• Community Dietetics
• National Diabetes Prevention Programme
• Many other services depending on your individual needs

What happens if I choose to accept support?

You will be invited to attend a 60‑minute face‑to‑face initial assessment. During this appointment, you may be:

• Weighed
• Have your blood pressure checked
• Screened for atrial fibrillation

You will also be asked about:

• Your current lifestyle
• Your long‑term health goals
• The type of support that would be most helpful for you

Following this, you will be offered regular follow‑up appointments, either face‑to‑face or by telephone, to review your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

You can choose to end your support at any time. Please note: support lasts for a maximum of 12 months.

You can also speak with a member of practice staff if you require further information or would like to discuss a referral to the Be Well Service.